Srinagar, Oct 24: Dussehra, the festival that symbolizes the victory of good and righteousness over evil, was celebrated with great religious fervour and unity in the valley. The grand occasion took place at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar, where a large number of people participated in the burning of effigies of Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
This event, organised after a six-year hiatus, witnessed the participation of diverse communities, delivering a powerful message of unity, brotherhood, and the endurance of rich cultural traditions among the people of the valley.
This year’s Dussehra celebration carried a theme of fighting the prevailing drug menace among the youth.
Devotees, filled with faith and conviction, flocked to the SK Cricket Stadium early in the day to take part in the festivities, which featured fireworks, Bhajans, speeches, and the spectacular burning of colossal effigies.
The towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath installed at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium became a major attraction for both devotees and passersby.
A diverse crowd, including women and children, along with members of the Army, Police, and residents of Srinagar and other parts of the valley, congregated on the grounds to witness the fireworks and the ritualistic burning of the effigies.
The grand effigies were set ablaze after sunset, as devotees prayed for the victory of peace, brotherhood, and unity over hatred.
Advisor Bhatnagar and DC Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad also graced the occasion.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, the event organizers, Sanjay Tickoo and Sanjay Saraf, expressed their overwhelming joy and satisfaction for the smooth and hassle-free culmination of the celebration.
“It was a joyous occasion as our brothers from other communities also joined us in celebrating the victory of good over evil. This event took place for the first time since 2017. It was a wonderful feeling to see everyone coming together under the open sky, symbolizing unity and our cultural heritage. We met and shared our thoughts and feelings; there can be no greater joy than this,” said Sanjay Tickoo.
He added, “It is a revival of our age-old traditions and cultural diversity that have thrived in the Kashmir valley.”
“We have to burn the Ravana within ourselves, we have to eliminate the evil within ourselves. We pray to God that the youth of Kashmir can conquer the evil of addiction, just as we burned Ravana today. We urge everyone to step forward and join us in our fight against the drug menace,” emphasized Sanjay Tickoo.
Earlier, a shobha yatra was taken out from a temple at Indira Nagar here to the Dussehra venue. This procession was carried out after a gap of 33 years. It is pertinent mentioning here that the last Shobha yatra was taken out in 1989.
